What is the best way to get into DC for the inauguration?|180603

I plan on coming in to DC tuesday morning from Staunton Virginia (Where I81 _ I64 split). I haven_t been to DC in many years and am not sure where would be the best place to leave my truck and get on the metro? I assume that the farther away from the city I park the better. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Arrive at the Vienna Metro station (right off I-66) as early after it opens at 3:30am as possible, and get a parking spot in their parking deck. Expect traffic to be backed up, even at that hour, since I-66 within the Beltway will be closed as of 3am. When the first train pulls out at 4:00am be on it. Take Metro down to Washington Union Station (you_ll have to change at Metro Center for a Red line train--the whole Metro trip will probably take an hour) and hang out in their food court until the sun comes up. Start walking to the National Mall or the parade route sometime during the morning and grab a spot.

I know the above is extreme, and it might be possible to get a parking spot a little later, but there will be millions of visitors with the same idea as you, and the parking spots will go very, very quickly. Tune your car radio to WTOP 103.5FM when you get to Front Royal for regular traffic updates.

By the way, if you have a smaller vehicle than the truck, take that instead--it will be easier to find a parking spot with a smaller vehicle.

Be aware that getting back on Metro will be an even bigger challenge--it_s expected that Metro, even running every piece of equipment they have, will take many hours to get everyone out of DC back to where they started. Also expect a coldish day, with temperatures in the low 30s.

Here_s a link to the Metro website, which will show you how to get around on Metro:

http://www.wmata.com


And yes I know where Staunton is--it_s a beautiful town with a lot to see and do. I_ve seen plays in the theater and eaten at the Depot Grille.

There won_t be an easy way. The farthest Metro rail stops are in Springfield and Huntington and they are both right at the Beltway so there_s no way of avoiding the prodigious traffic. If you could take a train out of Richmond, you could get into the Alexandria train station which is right next to King Street or Eisenhower Station in Alexandria. That would be the best way if you could get a train ticket. I think there is park _n ride as far down as Dumfries, VA and they may be running special buses so you might get onto the Metro website and check.
http://www.wmata.com

You are right to take the Metro to the inauguration. I,ve done that whenever there_s a big event in D.C. If you_re near the Orange Line. then Vienna Station may be your best bet. Or possibly Franconia-Springfield stop on the Blue Line. Visit the Washington Metro transit website at www.wmata.com for specific information on metro rail trains and where to park. I think there is a charge of close to five dollars to park at any metro rail park and ride lot. Again, check the website for details. Good luck.You may want to use mapquest or any map source for directions from Staunton to Washington, DC.

A lot of the roads in Arlington VA are closing by 3am.


http://www.arlingtonva.us/Portals/Topics��


I-66
EAST (Inbound, toward DC) �C CLOSED to all privately owned vehicles; buses, shuttles, taxis allowed
WEST (Outbound) �C OPEN to all traffic
All access ramps within Arlington to I-66 East �C CLOSED (hard closures)
Glebe Rd. and Sycamore St.
I-66 West �C Key Bridge/Lee Highway Exit �C CLOSED (hard closures)

Route 50/Arlington Blvd.
EAST (Inbound, toward DC) at Washington Blvd. �C CLOSED to all privately owned vehicles; buses, shuttles, taxis allowed
WEST (Outbound) �C OPEN to all traffic
All access ramps to 50 EAST inside Washington Blvd. �C CLOSED (hard closures)

I-395
NORTH (Inbound, toward DC) �C CLOSED to all privately owned vehicles; buses, shuttles, taxis allowed
SOUTH (Outbound) �C OPEN to all traffic
All access ramps within Arlington to I-395 North �C CLOSED (hard closures)
All access ramps within Arlington to I-395 South �C OPEN
Shirlington Circle �C CLOSED to all privately owned vehicles; buses, shuttles, taxis allowed

Metro, as others have said - either Vienna at the end of the Orange Line or Springfield - is the way to go, but get there early.

Walk. It is also the greenest way in.

get invited by obama!!

Pray.

Nah, that isn_t enough.. catapult.